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Regular deck maintenance is necessary to keep your wood surfaces clean and to detect a repair before it gets out of hand. Your deck is the launch pad to backyard fun, and you want to preserve and protect your investment with an easy do-it-yourself maintenance program to keep the platform in mint condition. 1. Blemishing. Even the best cared for decks are subject to stains and blemishes, most often caused by normal wear and tear. To clean your boards and eliminate the threat of deep contamination, swipe the stains with a mixture of soap and water, or you may opt for a mild cleansing solution with low chemical compounds. 2. Sharp Surfaces. An older deck that has not had a recent inspection may contain loose nails and screws that need to be tightened or replaced. The nails break loose over time and could cause a serious injury to children and pets. When you check for loose screws, be sure to examine the under side of the deck and any corners that are covered by foliage. You might not see a nail extended out of the boards until its too late, and the damage it can do is a serious matter. 3. Peeling. A once pristine deck can fade fast when exposed to an excess of sunlight and weather conditions. Sealants are used as a protective covering, and when their time is up, the deck will shed its skin. To correct this problem, use a sander to shave down the bubbles and boards until it has a smooth appearance. To re-seal the deck, you may wish to avoid products with varnish, as this will attract the elements and cause you to repeat the process again. 4. Secure The Stairs. If a loose footing condition is to occur, it will most likely happen on the deck stairs first. To correct the unstable conditions without completely replacing the steps, just anchor the steps down with wood and metal brackets. This strategy will work as long the condition of the wood is stable, and remains free of rot and splintering. At some time down the road, you will have to replace the steps, but there's no need to make that investment until your old steps finally give out. 5. Board Security. The boards on the deck are subject to a variety of pressure points and do not give way at the same time. To have a safe deck, be sure to inspect the top and lower floor boards for possible rot and structural damage that could cause someone to fall through. Older decks that creek or shift under your feet are especially susceptible to needing reinforcements, and should be checked regularly. If only a small area needs repair, you may safely replace the individual boards and spare the expense of a total deck overhaul. 6. Railings. The railing is a critical part of the deck and a feature that gets a lot of wear and tear, especially near to the steps. To ensure safety, be sure the screws are tight and the railing remains in a vertical positions without wavering. Extreme weather conditions can weaken the railing components and you may need to replace this deck feature more often than others. 7. Symptoms of Decay. Dry rot can wreak havoc on your deck, regardless of the climate you live in. Rainfall and even morning dew can create a fungus that spreads through your floor boards and weakens the entire structure. If a dark coloring appears, it may be an indicator that your floor boards are infected which will soon cause shrinking and loosening of the screws. Contact a deck maintenance professional to evaluate the dry rot damage and provide you with solutions for your species of wood. 8. Pool Decks. The pool deck gets a lot of use and can take a beating in the summer months. Before you use your pool deck, be sure to follow the inspection rules to secure all nails, screws and faulty floor boards. This type of deck will generally weaken must faster than a sun deck, so get your flashlight handy and make sure it is safe and secure before the kids are ready for their summer fun. 9. UV Blockers. The marketplace is ripe with a variety of cleaning and staining products to minimize your deck maintenance routine and keep your platform in pristine condition. Decks that are exposed to extreme heat and sun conditions fare well with a finish that contains UV blockers to keep the wood surface from fading or turning a luscious redwood deck to gray. 10. General Cleaning. Your deck should get a regular scrubbing with simple cleaning tools of a scrub brush, mop and thorough rinse with a spray gun garden hose. However, when stains and blemishes have built up in excess, you may need to use a power washer for large surface areas. Rather than using bleach or caustic chemicals, try a mild solution of Simple Green to protect and preserve the wood's luster. If the cleaning job requires heavy washing, your best bet it to consult a professional deck maintenance company to handle the cleaning and waxing with care. Joe Cline writes articles for Austin Texas real estate. Other articles written by the author related to Austin real estate and Lakeway real estate can be found on the net.
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